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Abstract:

A connecting means for connecting a first component and a second
component, which enables two components to be securely connected to one
another without giving rise to the danger of damaging the two components
during the assembly process, comprises a first connecting element that is
arranged on the first component in the connected state of the components
and a second connecting element that is arranged on the second component
in the connected state of the components, wherein at least one of the
connecting elements comprises a non self-cutting holding projection which
has a curved support surface that is in the form of an arc of a circle in
longitudinal section, wherein the holding projection is inserted into a
groove which is provided in one of the components and has a curved
undercut surface that is in the form of an arc of a circle in
longitudinal section.

Claims:

1-60. (canceled)

61. A groove milling device for milling a groove in a component,
comprising a milling disk which is rotatable about a rotational axis,
wherein the groove milling device comprises a displacement device for
moving the milling disk along the rotational axis during the milling
process.

62. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 61, wherein the
groove milling device comprises a stop means for limiting the depth of
the milled groove.

63. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 61, wherein the
groove milling device comprises a switch for activating the displacement
device by an operator during the milling process.

64. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 61, wherein the
groove milling device comprises a control device which actuates the
displacement device automatically when a predetermined depth of the
milled groove is reached during the milling process.

65. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 61, wherein the
milling disk is movable along the rotational axis by means of the
displacement device from a basic position into a first undercut position
and afterwards, in the opposite direction, into a second undercut
position which is beyond the basic position.

66. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 61, wherein the
length of the path through which the milling disk is movable along the
rotational axis by means of the displacement device is adjustable to
different values.

67. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 61, wherein the
energy required for actuating the displacement device can be generated by
means of a generator coupled to a main drive spindle of the groove
milling device.

68. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 67, wherein the
generator is in the form of an eddy-current coupling.

69. A groove milling device for milling a groove in a component,
comprising a T-groove cutter which is rotatable about a radial direction
of the groove, wherein the groove milling device comprises a guidance
device for guiding the groove milling device in a pre-milled guide groove
which has a curved groove base surface that is in the form of an arc of a
circle in longitudinal section.

70. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 69, wherein the
guidance device comprises a front guide element which is substantially in
the form of a section of a circular disk and is arranged in front of the
T-groove cutter in the direction of movement of the groove milling device
during the milling process.

71. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 70, wherein the
thickness of the front guide element is substantially equal to the width
of the pre-milled guide groove.

72. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 69, wherein the
guidance device comprises a rear guide element which is substantially in
the form of a section of a circular disk and is arranged behind the
T-groove cutter in the direction of movement of the groove milling device
during the milling process.

73. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 72, wherein the
thickness of the rear guide element is substantially equal to the width
of a base section of the groove milled by the T-groove cutter.

74. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 72, wherein the rear
guide element is provided with at least one guide tooth which engages in
an undercut section of the groove milled by the T-groove cutter and thus
guides the groove milling device during the milling process.

75. A groove milling device in accordance with claim 61, wherein the
milling disk comprises radially projecting milling teeth around its
periphery and annular groove teeth which project in an axial direction of
the milling disk.

Description:

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This patent is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/611,748, filed Nov. 3, 2009, which is a continuation of
PCT/EP2008/003575 filed May 3, 2008, which claims priority to European
Patent Application No. 07 009 267.1, filed on May 8, 2007, each of which
are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present invention relates to a connecting means for connecting
a first component and a second component, and in particular, for
connecting furniture parts or machine parts, comprising

a first connecting element arranged on the first component in the
connected state of the components and a second connecting element
arranged on the second component in the connected state of the
components.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Such a connecting means is known from DE 196 04 243 C2 for example.

[0004] DE 196 04 243 C2 discloses a fitting for connecting components,
said fitting consisting of two half-fittings which are each fixed to a
respective one of the components that are to be connected and comprise
elements that are adapted to be brought into engagement with one another
for establishing the connection between the components, wherein each of
the half-fittings comprises a section in the form of a segment of a
circle having self-cutting protruding edges so that each half-fitting is
adapted to anchor itself in the relevant component by virtue of being
driven into its respectively associated component along the self-cutting
edges. In the case of hard materials such as a hardwood or metallic
materials for example, the process of driving the half-fittings into the
components along the self-cutting edges is extremely difficult or even
completely impossible. In addition, there is a danger with the fitting in
accordance with DE 196 04 243 C2 that the lateral walls of the respective
component could break away when driving-in the half-fittings as a result
of the forces arising due to the protruding self-cutting edges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a connecting
means of the type mentioned hereinabove which will enable two components
consisting of a plurality of materials to be securely connected to one
another without giving rise to the danger of damaging the two components
during the assembly process.

[0006] In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved in the
case of a connecting means comprising the features indicated in the first
part of claim 1 in that at least one of the connecting elements comprises
at least one non self-cutting holding projection which comprises a curved
supporting surface that is in the form of an arc of a circle in
longitudinal section, wherein the holding projection can be inserted into
a groove which is provided in one of the components and has a curved
undercut surface that is in the form of an arc of a circle in
longitudinal section.

[0007] The concept underlying the solution in accordance with the
invention is that the connecting element having the at least one holding
projection is to be pushed into a groove which had already been produced
in the component prior to the insertion of the connecting element and
which has an undercut section in the relevant component in the
longitudinal direction of the groove. Hereby, the holding projection can
be pushed into the undercut section of the groove in the tangential
direction using just a small amount of force so that the connecting
element still has a certain degree of freedom of movement in this
direction and thus corrections with respect to their mutual positioning
are still possible when connecting the components.

[0008] Furthermore, with the aid of a curved supporting surface thereon,
the holding projection can be supported on the likewise curved undercut
surface of the undercut section of the groove in the associated
component, whereby this undercut surface is likewise in the form of an
arc of a circle in longitudinal section and has the same radius of
curvature as the curved supporting surface of the holding projection. A
positive connection between the component and the connecting element is
produced as a result of the engagement between the holding projection and
the undercut section of the groove.

[0009] Hereby, particularly effective anchoring of at least one of the
connecting elements in the associated component is obtained without
having to use a large amount of force when inserting the connecting
element into the associated component which could lead to the component
being damaged.

[0010] In contrast thereto, holding grooves for the half-fittings must
first be reamed out by means of the self-cutting protruding edges by
forcing the half-fittings into the components when inserting the
half-fittings of the fitting known from DE 196 04 243 C2 into the
components. For this purpose, it is necessary to exert quite a
substantial amount of force. Furthermore, the self-cutting protruding
edges must be geometrically optimised for the self-cutting action, and in
particular, they need to be sufficiently thin in order to make it
possible to force out the reamed-out material. Furthermore, when driving
the half-fittings into the components, material can easily be chipped off
the outer edges of the component, especially when the half-fittings are
being driven-in at the edge of the component. In the case of solid
materials such as a hardwood for example, the process of driving-in the
half-fittings is extremely difficult; in the case of other materials such
as plexiglass for example or in the case of metallic materials, the
self-cutting process for driving-in the half-fittings fails completely.
Furthermore, after being driven into the respective component, the
half-fittings are stuck immovably therein and can no longer be shifted
along the holding groove in order to enable corrections in the
positioning thereof to be made and thus compensation for tolerances to be
effected.

[0011] By contrast, the connecting means in accordance with the invention
can be used for connecting components of any type of material such as
especially hardwood, plexiglass or metallic materials and, due to the
fact that at least one of the connecting elements is adapted to be
displaced in the longitudinal direction of the groove in which the
connecting element is accommodated, it is possible to make positional
corrections and thus compensate for the positional tolerances of the
grooves in the components and/or compensate for manufacturing tolerances
of the connecting elements.

[0012] Furthermore, at least one of the connecting elements preferably
comprises a curved bearing surface which is in the form of an arc of a
circle in longitudinal section so that this bearing surface can slide on
a groove base surface that is likewise in the form of an arc of a circle
in longitudinal section of a groove that is provided in one of the
components, whereby the alignment of the connecting element concerned
relative to the other respective connecting element can be changed within
certain limits in the course of connecting the connecting elements in
order to compensate for the positional tolerances of the grooves in which
the connecting elements are arranged, and/or manufacturing tolerances of
the connecting elements.

[0013] Due to this additional degree of freedom of movement, further
corrections with respect to their mutual positioning are possible when
assembling the two components, this thereby significantly reducing the
need for precision with regard to the location of the grooves in the
components and thus leads to it being considerably easier for the user to
use.

[0014] In particular, the holding projection may comprise stub-like ends
and/or have rounded-off, bevelled edges at its end regions.

[0015] The cross-sectional area of a non self-cutting holding projection
may be of any desired size in order to increase the mechanical stability
of the holding projection.

[0016] In particular, the cross-sectional area of the holding projection
can amount to at least 1 mm2.

[0017] The holding projection may have a substantially rectangular or a
substantially trapezoidal cross section.

[0018] As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision may be made for
at least one holding projection to taper with increasing spacing from a
base body of the respective connecting element.

[0019] On the other hand, provision may be made for at least one holding
projection to taper with decreasing spacing from a base body of the
respective connecting element.

[0020] As an alternative or in addition thereto, it is also conceivable
for the cross section of at least one holding projection to have an outer
contour which is curved at least in sections thereof.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for
the surface of at least one holding projection to be substantially flush
with a curved bearing surface of a base body of the respective connecting
element. Thus, in this case, the holding projection is arranged on the
outermost edge of the associated connecting element facing the groove
base.

[0022] As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision may also be
made for at least one holding projection to be arranged such that it is
offset with respect to the curved bearing surface of a base body of the
respective connecting element. Thus, in particular, the holding
projection may have a smaller radius of curvature than the curved bearing
surface of the respective connecting element.

[0023] Furthermore, provision may be made for several holding projections
having differing radii of curvature to be arranged on the same connecting
element.

[0024] In particular, a plurality of holding projections having differing
radii of curvature can be arranged on the same side of the respective
connecting element.

[0025] In particular, the curved bearing surface of the base body of the
respective connecting element may be in the form of an arc of a circle in
longitudinal section.

[0026] In particular, the curved bearing surface of at least one
connecting element can be substantially in the form of a section of the
surface of a regular cylinder.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for
the first connecting element and the second connecting element to be
connected to one another in releasable manner in the connected state of
the components and for at least the first connecting element to comprise
at least one holding element which is moveable relative to a housing of
the first connecting element and which, in a holding position, cooperates
with the second connecting element in such a way that a relative movement
of the first connecting element and the second connecting element along
the direction of connection is prevented, and which, in a release
position, permits a relative movement of the first connecting element and
the second connecting element along the direction of connection,

whereby at least one holding element is movable from the holding position
into the release position and/or from the release position into the
holding position by means of an action occurring outside the connecting
means.

[0028] In this embodiment, the connection of the two connecting elements
is not established by a relative displacement of the two connecting
elements as a whole but rather, by means of a relative movement of the
holding element relative to a housing of the first connecting element
from the release position into the holding position. As an alternative or
in addition thereto, the connection between the connecting elements can
be released by a movement of the holding element relative to the housing
of the first connecting element from the holding position into the
release position.

[0029] When the connecting elements are locked together by the movement of
the holding element into the holding position, then, due to the tensile
forces which are act on the connecting elements in a direction of
connection that is oriented transversely and preferably perpendicularly
to the bearing surfaces of the connecting elements, so much friction will
be activated that the ability to displace the holding projection within
the undercut section of the groove is annulled and an extremely firm
connection between the components that are to be connected is
established.

[0030] The connecting elements of the connecting means in accordance with
the invention are placed into pre-existing grooves in the components so
that a large amount of force is not necessary to insert the connecting
elements into the components and consequently there is no danger of
damage to these components.

[0031] When the holding element of the connecting means in accordance with
the invention has been moved from the holding position into the release
position, the connecting elements can be moved away from each other in a
direction of connection that is oriented perpendicularly to the bearing
surfaces of the connecting elements with which the connecting elements
abut one another in the connected state of the components, without the
connecting elements having to be previously moved relative to each other
in a direction parallel to the bearing surfaces.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for
the housing of the first connecting element to have a curved bearing
surface that is in the form of an arc of a circle in longitudinal
section, and a substantially flat bearing surface which is located
opposite the aforesaid bearing surface and is adapted to be placed on the
second connecting element.

[0033] In particular, provision may be made for the substantially flat
bearing surface of the first connecting element to be able to abut a
likewise substantially flat bearing surface of the second connecting
element.

[0034] The substantially flat bearing surface of the first connecting
element and/or the second connecting element is preferably oriented
substantially parallel to contact areas of the components with which the
components abut one another in the connected state of the components.

[0035] Furthermore, the curved bearing surface and the substantially flat
bearing surface of the first connecting element and/or the second
connecting element are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the
direction of the connection in the connected state of the components.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for
at least one holding element to be held such as to be pivotal on the
first connecting element.

[0037] In order to effect the connection of the two connecting elements in
the holding position of the holding element, provision may be made for at
least one holding element to have a first holding contour which engages
behind a second holding contour provided on the second connecting element
in the holding position.

[0038] The first holding contour and/or the second holding contour can be
formed such as to be arc-shaped.

[0039] In particular, provision may be made for the first holding contour
and the second holding contour to be formed such that they are not
mutually concentric so that the two connecting elements are pulled
against each other when moving the holding element from the release
position into the holding position.

[0040] Until now, no detailed indications have been given as to the manner
in which the holding element is movable from the holding position into
the release position or in the reverse direction by means of an action
occurring outside the connecting means.

[0041] For example, provision may be made for at least one holding element
to be movable from the holding position into the release position and/or
from the release position into the holding position by means of a
mechanical actuating means that can be moved into engagement with the
holding element from outside the connecting element.

[0042] For this purpose, it is expedient if at least one holding element
comprises a seating for an actuating section of a mechanical actuating
means.

[0043] In particular, provision may be made for at least one holding
element to comprise a seating for a polygonal key, an Allen key and/or a
screwdriver.

[0044] In order to enable the mechanical actuating means to act on the
holding element, provision may be made for the first connecting element
to comprise a housing having a passage opening for the passage of a
mechanical actuating means to a holding element.

[0045] In particular, provision may be made for the housing to comprise a
side wall which extends transversely to the curved bearing surface of the
first connecting element and for the passage opening to be arranged in
the side wall.

[0046] As an alternative thereto, provision may also be made for the
passage opening to be arranged in the curved bearing surface of the first
connecting element.

[0047] In a special embodiment of the invention, provision may be made for
at least the first connecting element to comprise at least two holding
elements which are held such as to be pivotal on the first connecting
element.

[0048] In order to ensure the connection of the two connecting elements in
the holding position of the holding elements, provision may be made for
at least two holding elements to each engage behind a respective
restraining element which is arranged on the second connecting element in
the holding position.

[0049] In order to enable the holding elements to be pivoted from the
release position into the holding position, provision may be made, in
particular, for a support region of a first holding element and a support
region of a second holding element to be movable relative to each other
by means of a spreading mechanism.

[0050] Such a spreading mechanism could comprise a magnet element which is
adapted to be driven such that it moves within the connecting means by
means of a time varying magnetic drive field which acts on the magnet
element from outside the connecting means.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for
the spreading mechanism to comprise at least two spreading elements which
are in engagement with one another.

[0052] In particular, the spreading elements may be held in engagement
with one another by means of two mutually complementary threads.

[0053] It is particularly expedient, if at least one of the spreading
elements is adapted to be driven into rotational movement relative to the
other spreading element by means of the magnet element.

[0054] In particular, the magnet element may comprise a driver element
which acts on a driven element on one of the spreading elements.

[0055] Furthermore, provision may be made in a special embodiment of the
invention for at least one holding element to have a thread.

[0056] Provision may be made for at least one holding element to be in
engagement with a restraining element in the holding position, wherein
said restraining element is arranged on the second connecting element and
the restraining element has a thread that is complementary to the thread
of the holding element.

[0057] In order to facilitate the process of bringing the holding element
into engagement with the restraining element, provision may be made for
the connecting means to comprises at least one resilient element, and in
particular a spring, by means of which the holding element and the
restraining element are biased against each other.

[0058] Furthermore, a thread axis of the holding element can be oriented
substantially parallel to the direction of the connection in the
connected state of the components.

[0059] In a special embodiment of the invention, provision may be made for
the connecting means to comprise a magnet element which can be driven
into a rotational movement within the connecting means by means of a time
varying magnetic drive field that acts on the magnet element from outside
the connecting means.

[0060] In particular, by means of such a magnet element, at least one
holding element can be adapted to be driven into a rotational movement
relative to the housing of the first connecting element.

[0061] Hereby, the magnet element may comprise a driver element which acts
on a driven element on the holding element.

[0062] In order to enable shearing stresses to be removed as well by means
of the connection between the connecting elements, it is of advantage if
at least one of the connecting elements comprises at least one insertible
projection and if the other respective connecting element comprises at
least one seating pocket for accommodating the insertible projection in
the connected state of the components. Thereby, additional dowel pins
such as are necessary with most other connecting means can be dispensed
with.

[0063] If at least one seating pocket extends to a greater extent in the
longitudinal direction of the connecting means than the insertible
projection accommodated therein, then this offers the advantage that the
first connecting element and the second connecting element are mutually
displaceable in the longitudinal direction in order to enable tolerances
in the connection between the components to be compensated for in this
manner.

[0064] As an alternative to a connection between the two connecting
elements by means of a moveable holding element, provision may also be
made for the first connecting element and the second connecting element
to be connected to one another in the connected state of the components
by an integral bond.

[0065] In particular, provision may be made for the first connecting
element and the second connecting element to be glued to one another in
the connected state of the components.

[0066] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of producing
a connection between a first component and a second component, in
particular, a connection between furniture parts or machine parts.

[0067] The object of the present invention is to provide a method which is
such as to enable two components consisting of a multiplicity of
materials to be securely connected together without giving rise to the
danger of damage to one of the components.

[0068] This object is achieved by a method which comprises the following
method steps: [0069] producing a respective groove in a contact area of
the first component and in a contact area of the second component,
wherein at least one of the grooves comprises at least one undercut
section having a curved undercut surface which is in the form of an arc
of a circle in longitudinal section; [0070] inserting a first connecting
element into the groove in the first component and a second connecting
element into the groove in the second component, wherein at least one of
the connecting elements comprises at least one holding projection which
has a curved supporting surface that is in the form of an arc of a circle
in longitudinal section; [0071] connecting the first connecting element
and the second connecting element.

[0072] Special embodiments of the method in accordance with the invention
form the subject matter of claims 41 to 60, the advantages thereof having
already been explained hereinabove in connection with the special
embodiments of the connecting means in accordance with the invention.

[0073] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a groove milling
device for milling a groove in a component, wherein said device comprises
a milling disk which is rotatable about a rotational axis and is used, in
particular, for carrying out the method in accordance with any of the
claims 40 to 60.

[0074] The object of the present invention is to provide such a groove
milling device with the aid of which a groove can be produced in a simple
and precise manner and wherein said groove comprises at least one
undercut section having a curved undercut surface.

[0075] In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved in the
case of a groove milling device incorporating the features of the first
part of claim 61 in that the groove milling device comprises a
displacement device for moving the milling disk along the rotational axle
during the milling process.

[0076] By means of such a groove milling device, a base section of the
groove can first be milled and then, when the base section has reached a
given depth, the milling disk can be moved along the axis of rotation in
order to mill at least one undercut section.

[0077] In particular, the groove milling device in accordance with the
invention may comprise a stop means for limiting the depth of the milled
groove.

[0078] Furthermore, the groove milling device may comprise a switch for
actuating the displacement device by an operator during the milling
process in order to enable the movement of the milling disk along the
axis of rotation to be initiated manually.

[0079] As an alternative or in addition thereto, provision may also be
made for the groove milling device to comprise a control device which
automatically actuates the displacement device when the milled groove has
reached a given depth during the milling process. In this way, the effect
is achieved that the milling disk can be immediately moved along the axis
of rotation for producing the undercut section as soon as the given
groove depth has been reached; this can shorten the time needed for the
entire milling process by a considerable amount.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for
the milling disk to be caused to move along the rotational axis by means
of the displacement device from a basic position into a first undercut
position and afterwards, in the opposite direction, into a second
undercut position beyond the basic position. In this way, a groove can be
produced with two undercut sections which project from a base section of
the groove in mutually opposite directions.

[0081] Preferably, the length of path over which the milling disk is
movable along the rotational axis by means of the displacement device is
adjustable to various values.

[0082] The energy required for the actuation of the displacement device
can be generated by means of a generator which is coupled to a main drive
spindle of the groove milling device for example.

[0083] In particular hereby, the generator can be in the form of an
eddy-current coupling.

[0084] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a groove milling
device for milling a groove in a component which comprises a T-groove
cutter that is rotatable about a radial direction of the groove, and in
particular, a device for carrying out the method in accordance with any
of the claims 40 to 60.

[0085] The object of the present invention is to provide such a groove
milling device with the aid of which a groove having at least one
undercut section having a curved undercut surface which is in the form of
an arc of a circle in longitudinal section can be produced in a simple
and precise manner.

[0086] In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved in the
case of a groove milling device incorporating the features indicated in
the first part of claim 69 in that the groove milling device comprises a
guidance device for guiding the groove milling device in a pre-milled
guide groove having a curved groove base surface which is in the form of
an arc of a circle in a longitudinal section.

[0087] A pre-milled guide groove without undercut sections can be widened
into the desired groove with undercut sections with the aid of this
groove milling device in accordance with the invention.

[0088] Hereby, the guide groove can be pre-milled using a conventional
groove milling device.

[0089] In a preferred embodiment of the groove milling device in
accordance with the invention, provision is made for the guidance device
to comprise a front guide element which is in the form of a section of a
substantially circular disk and is arranged in front of the T-groove
cutter in the direction of movement of the groove milling device during
the milling process.

[0090] In order to obtain stable guidance of the groove milling device in
the pre-milled guide groove by means of the front guide element, it is
expedient if the thickness of the front guide element is of substantially
the same size as the width of the pre-milled guide groove.

[0091] Furthermore, it is expedient if the guidance device comprises a
rear guide element which is in the form of a section of a substantially
circular disk and is arranged behind the T-groove cutter in the direction
of movement of the groove milling device during the milling process. In
this way, it is possible to obtain additional guidance for the groove
milling device in the groove produced by means of the T-groove cutter.

[0092] In order to enable particularly stable guidance on the base section
of the groove milled by the T-groove cutter to be obtained, it is
expedient if the thickness of the rear guide element is of substantially
equal to the width of a base section of the groove milled by the T-groove
cutter.

[0093] Furthermore, the rear guide element can be provided with at least
one guide tooth which engages in an undercut section of the groove milled
by the T-groove cutter during the milling process and thus guides the
groove milling device. This thereby provides particularly stable guidance
for the groove milling device on the undercut section milled by the
T-groove cutter.

[0094] Further features and advantages of the invention form the subject
matter of the following description and the graphical illustration of
exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0095]FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective illustration of two components
that are to be connected whilst they are in the unconnected state,
wherein each component comprises a respective groove having a central
base section and two arc-shaped undercut sections protruding from the
base section;

[0096]FIG. 2 a schematic perspective illustration corresponding to FIG. 1
in which the non visible edges are additionally drawn-in in broken lines;

[0097]FIG. 3 a schematic cross section through the first component
depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the vicinity of an access boring;

[0098] FIG. 4 a schematic side view of the first component depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0099] FIG. 5 a schematic perspective illustration of a connecting means
for connecting the two components depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4, which
comprises a first connecting element having a holding element and a
second connecting element having a seating for the holding element;

[0100]FIG. 6 a schematic perspective illustration corresponding to FIG. 5
in which the non visible edges are additionally drawn-in in broken lines;

[0101]FIG. 7 a schematic perspective side view of the components
connected by the connecting means depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6;

[0102]FIG. 8 a schematic perspective illustration of the two components
that are to be connected together whilst they are in the unconnected
state wherein a respective one of the connecting elements is inserted
into the groove in each component;

[0103]FIG. 9 a schematic perspective illustration corresponding to FIG. 8
in which the non visible edges are additionally drawn-in in broken lines;

[0104]FIG. 10 a schematic perspective illustration of a groove cutting
device including a displacement device, wherein a rotatable milling disk
of the groove cutting device is withdrawn into a housing of the groove
cutting device;

[0105]FIG. 11 a schematic perspective illustration of the groove cutting
device corresponding to FIG. 10 wherein the rotatable milling disk has
been partly extended from the housing of the groove cutting device;

[0106] FIGS. 12 to 15 a sequence of schematic cross sections through a
component in which a groove incorporating a base section and two undercut
sections protruding from the base section is being milled by means of the
groove cutting device depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11;

[0107]FIG. 16 a schematic perspective illustration of a groove cutting
device incorporating a T-groove cutter and a guidance device for guiding
the groove cutting device in a pre-milled guide groove;

[0108] FIGS. 17, 19 and 21 schematic side views of a component in which a
groove having a base section and two arc-shaped undercut sections
protruding from the base section is milled by means of the groove cutting
device depicted in FIG. 16;

[0109] FIGS. 18, 20 and 22 schematic cross sections corresponding to FIGS.
17, 19 and 21 through the groove formed in the component;

[0110]FIG. 23 a schematic side view of the first component into the
groove of which the first connecting element is inserted;

[0111]FIG. 24 a schematic side view of both components with inserted
connecting elements which are to be moved towards one another;

[0112]FIG. 25 a schematic side view of the components with the contact
areas thereof lying close together and a polygonal key which is in
engagement with the holding element of the first connecting element
through an access boring;

[0113]FIG. 26 a schematic side view of the two components and the
polygonal key by means of which the holding element is moved from a
release position into a holding position;

[0114] FIG. 27 a schematic side view of a housing of the first connecting
element;

[0115]FIG. 28 a schematic section through the housing of the connecting
element depicted in FIG. 27, along the line 28-28 in FIG. 27;

[0116] FIGS. 29 to 31 schematic cross sections corresponding to FIG. 28
through the housing of the connecting element depicted in FIG. 27,
wherein holding projections of the housing each have different profiles;

[0117]FIG. 32 a schematic perspective illustration of a second embodiment
of the connecting means in which the holding part of the first connecting
element is in the form of a threaded element which can engage in a
restraining element provided on the second connecting element;

[0118]FIG. 33 a schematic perspective illustration corresponding to FIG.
32 in which the non visible edges are additionally drawn-in in broken
lines;

[0119]FIG. 34 a schematic side view of the two components which are
connected together by means of the second embodiment of the connecting
means;

[0120] FIG. 35 a schematic perspective illustration of a third embodiment
of the connecting means in which a magnet element is provided in the
first connecting element for causing a holding element to execute a
rotational movement;

[0121]FIG. 36 a schematic perspective illustration corresponding to FIG.
35 in which the non visible edges are additionally drawn-in in broken
lines;

[0122]FIG. 37 a schematic side view of the two components which are
connected together by means of the third embodiment of the connecting
means;

[0123]FIG. 38 a schematic side view of a magnet element and a holding
element of the third embodiment of the connecting means depicted in FIGS.
35 to 37 and a drive unit for producing a rotational movement of the
magnet element;

[0124]FIG. 39 a schematic plan view from below of the magnet element and
the drive unit depicted in FIG. 38 along the line of sight indicated by
the direction of the arrow 39 in FIG. 38;

[0125]FIG. 40 a schematic perspective illustration of a fourth embodiment
of the connecting means in which two pivotal holding elements and a
spreading mechanism for separating apart the end regions of the holding
elements are provided in the first connecting element;

[0126]FIG. 41 a schematic side view of the fourth embodiment of the
connecting means in the unconnected state of the components;

[0127] FIG. 42 a schematic side view corresponding to FIG. 41 wherein the
components that are to be connected together are located against one
another and the holding elements are in their release position;

[0128]FIG. 43 a schematic side view of the fourth embodiment of the
connecting means corresponding to FIG. 42 wherein the holding elements
are in the holding position;

[0129]FIG. 44 a schematic side view of the fourth embodiment of the
connecting means, of a magnet element of the spreading mechanism and of a
drive unit for causing rotation of the magnet element;

[0130]FIG. 45 a schematic plan view of the magnet element and the drive
unit depicted in FIG. 44 along the line of sight indicated by the
direction of the arrow 45 in FIG. 44;

[0131]FIG. 46 a schematic perspective illustration of a fifth embodiment
of the connecting means in which the first connecting element and the
second connecting element are glued to one another;

[0132]FIG. 47 a schematic perspective illustration corresponding to FIG.
46 in which the non visible edges are additionally drawn-in in broken
lines; and

[0133]FIG. 48 a schematic side view of the connecting means depicted in
FIGS. 46 and 47 in the connected state of the components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0134] Similar or functionally equivalent elements are designated by the
same reference symbols in each of the Figures.

[0135] A first embodiment of a connecting means which is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 to 9 and bears the general reference 100 is explained in the
following using the example of the connection of a first substantially
plate-like component 102 to a second likewise substantially plate-like
component 104 (see FIGS. 1 to 4).

[0136] The two components 102 and 104 consist for example of wood or
plywood, but could consist of any other type of material, for example, of
a metallic material or a synthetic material (for example plexiglass).
Furthermore, provision may be made for the first component 102 and the
second component 104 to consist of materials differing from each other.

[0137] In the connected state of the two components 102 and 104 which is
illustrated in FIG. 7, a contact area 106 forming a narrow side of the
first component 102 abuts a contact area 108 of the second component 104
which forms a major face of the plate-like second component 104.

[0138] A respective groove 110, which is formed in the relevant component
102 and 104 and comprises a base section 112 in the form of a segment of
a regular cylinder or a section of a regular cylinder and two undercut
sections 114 extending away from the base section 112 in the thickness
direction 116, opens out into each of the contact areas 106, 108.

[0139] The radius of curvature of the base section 112 is larger than the
groove depth T (see FIG. 4), so that the arched groove base surface 118
intersects the respective contact area 106, 108 at an acute angle.

[0140] The base section 112 of the groove 110 has a width B in the
thickness direction 116 of approximately 8 mm for example.

[0141] Each of the undercut sections 114 of the groove 110 is bounded on
the side thereof remote from the respective contact area 106 and 108 by a
base surface 120 which is flush with the groove base surface 118 and is
in the form of a section of the surface of a regular cylinder and has the
same radius of curvature as the groove base surface 118 of the base
section 112.

[0142] In the direction toward the contact area 106 or 108, each undercut
section 114 is bounded by an undercut surface 122 which is likewise in
the form of a section of the surface of a regular cylinder and is formed
such as to be concentric with the base surface 120 and has a smaller
radius of curvature.

[0143] In the lateral direction, each of the undercut sections 114 is
bounded by a lateral boundary surface 124 running perpendicularly
relative to the respective contact area 106 and 108.

[0144] The width b i.e. the extent thereof in the thickness direction 116,
for each of the undercut sections 114 amounts to approximately 1 mm for
example.

[0145] The height h, i.e. the distance between the base surface 120 and
the undercut surface 122, for each of the undercut sections 114 amounts
to approximately 2 mm for example.

[0146] The base section 112 of each groove 110 is bounded by lateral
boundary walls 126 which run substantially perpendicularly relative to
the respective contact area 106 or 108 and are spaced from each other by
the groove width B.

[0147] As can be seen from FIG. 3 for example, a substantially cylindrical
access boring 128 opens out into the groove 110 of the first component
102, said boring running perpendicularly relative to one of the lateral
boundary walls 126 and the other end thereof opening out at a major face
129 of the plate-like first component 102, this thereby enabling access
to the base section 112 of the groove 110 to be made from the exterior of
the first component 102.

[0148] In order to form the previously described grooves 110 in the
components 102 and 104, the groove cutting device 130 schematically
illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be used for example.

[0150] The front bearing surface 136 comprises a passage slot 138 through
which a section of a milling disk 140 can pass, said disk being held such
that it can rotate about a vertical rotational axis 142 in the interior
of the housing 132 and it is caused to make such a rotational movement
about the rotational axis 142 by means of an electrical drive motor 144.

[0151] The milling disk 140 comprises radially projecting milling teeth
146 around its periphery for milling the base section 112 of a groove 110
and annular groove teeth 148 which project in the axial direction and
serve for milling the undercut sections 114.

[0152] The drive motor 144 and the milling disk 140 attached thereto can
be raised or lowered automatically along the axial direction 151 of the
milling disk 140 by means of a displacement device 150. The displacement
device 150 and the drive motor 144 are accommodated in a drive unit 152
of the groove cutting device 130 which is displaceable relative to the
housing 132, by means of a handle 154 arranged thereon, in a displacement
direction 156 running radially relative to the rotational axis 142 of the
milling disk 140 and perpendicularly relative to the front stop surface
136.

[0153] The displacement device 150 for the axial movement of the milling
disk 140 can be implemented as a normal electric motor and associated
transmission or as a stepping motor.

[0154] The necessary energy for the displacement movement can be produced
by means of a mains power pack or a generator which is coupled to the
main drive spindle of the groove cutting device 130.

[0155] In particular, the generator can be implemented as an electrically
controllable eddy-current coupling wherein an arbitrarily adjustable
torque can be transferred to a reciprocating means which can mechanically
convert this torque into a reciprocating movement of the milling disk 140
without the use of an additional motor, for example, by means of a crank
drive arrangement or with the help of an adjustable swash plate.

[0156] The stroke path, over which the milling disk 140 is raised or
lowered in the axial direction 151 by the actuation of the displacement
device 150, is manually selectable by means of a selector switch or by
means of a CNC control system.

[0157] The manner of functioning of the previously described groove
cutting device 130 is as follows:

[0158] The front bearing surface 136 of the groove cutting device 130 is
placed on the contact area 106 of that component (for example the first
component 102) in which the groove 110 is intended to be formed.

[0159] Subsequently, the milling disk 140 is set into rotational movement
and is pushed out of the housing 132 against the component 102 that is to
be worked upon by means of the handle 154 so that the milling disk 140
mills out from the component 102 a base section 112 which is in the form
of a section of a regular cylinder having an increasing groove depth (see
FIG. 12).

[0160] When the desired groove depth T is reached, a displacement process
of the milling disk 140 is initiated by means of the displacement device
150, whereupon the milling disk 140 is moved upwardly in the axial
direction 151 by the desired width b of the undercut section 114 and the
upper undercut section 114 of the groove 110 is then milled by means of
the annular groove teeth 148 (see FIG. 13).

[0161] Subsequently, the milling disk 140 is moved downwardly in the
opposite direction back into the initial position and then continues to
be moved further downwardly by the desired width b of the undercut
section 114, whereby the annular groove teeth 148 of the milling disk 140
now mill the lower undercut section 114 (see FIG. 14).

[0162] When the lower undercut section 114 has also been milled, the
milling disk 140 is moved back upwardly along the axial direction 151
into its initial position and is withdrawn from the finished groove 110
in the direction of displacement 156 by pulling back the handle 154 (see
FIG. 15).

[0163] Initiation of the displacement process can be effected by means of
a manually operated switch on the groove cutting device 130 for example.

[0164] As an alternative thereto, provision may also be made for the
groove cutting device 130 to comprise a depth probe which automatically
initiates the displacement process of the displacement device 150 when
the desired groove depth T is reached i.e. when the milling disk 140 has
moved out from the housing 132 by a predetermined distance.

[0165] Once the displacement process has been initiated, the further time
sequence of the displacement process, i.e. the movement of the milling
disk 140 upwardly by the distance b, the subsequent movement of the
milling disk 140 downwardly by the distance 2b and the concluding
movement of the milling disk 140 upwardly by the distance b into the
starting position is effected automatically by appropriately controlling
the displacement device by means of a (not illustrated) control device of
the groove cutting device 130.

[0166] In this way, the groove 110 including the undercut sections 114 can
be produced in a simple manner in just a single processing step.

[0167] As an alternative to the groove cutting device 130 illustrated in
FIGS. 10 and 11, the groove cutting device 158 illustrated in FIG. 16
could also be used for the production of the grooves 110 in the
components 102 and 104.

[0168] This groove cutting device 158 comprises an electrical drive unit
in an insulated housing 160 and a machining head 162 which is mounted
thereon and comprises a T-groove cutter 164 that is rotatable about a
rotational axis 166.

[0169] The T-groove cutter 164 comprises a shank part 168 having a
diameter which corresponds to the diameter B of the base section 112 of
the groove 110 that is to be milled, and a head part 170 the diameter of
which corresponds to the sum, B+2b, of the widths of the base section 112
and the undercut sections 114.

[0171] This guidance device 174 comprises a quarter-circular disk-shaped
front guide element 174 which is arranged in front of the T-groove cutter
164 in the direction of movement of the groove cutting device 158 during
the milling process and the thickness thereof is substantially equal to
the width B' of the pre-milled guide groove 174.

[0172] Furthermore, the guidance device 172 comprises a substantially
quarter-circular disk-shaped rear guide element 178 which is arranged
behind the T-groove cutter 164 in the direction of movement of the groove
cutting device 158 during the milling process and the thickness thereof
corresponds substantially to the width B of the base section 112 of the
groove 110 that is to be milled.

[0173] Furthermore, the rear guide element 178 is provided with two guide
teeth 180 which are arranged directly behind the head part 170 of the
T-groove cutter 164 and which extend respectively upwardly and downwardly
in the thickness direction of the rear guide element 178 by the desired
width b of the undercut sections 114 of the groove 110 that is to be
milled.

[0174] The groove 110 is produced in the contact area 106 of the first
component 102 for example using the previously described groove cutting
device 158 as follows:

[0175] Firstly, a guide groove 174 in the form of a section of a regular
cylinder the groove depth T of which corresponds to the groove depth of
the groove 110 that is to be produced and the width B' of which is
smaller than the width B of the base section 112 of the groove 110 that
is to be formed is produced by means of a groove cutting device which is
known and does not therefore need to be described in detail here (see
FIGS. 17 and 18).

[0176] In particular, the width B' of the guide groove 174 may amount to
approximately 4 mm for example.

[0177] Subsequently, the guide groove 174 is widened out to form the
desired groove 110 with the undercut sections 114 by means of the groove
cutting device 158.

[0178] For this purpose, the front guide element 176 of the guidance
device 172 is entered into the guide groove 174 until such time as the
outer surface 182 of the front guide element 176, which is in the form of
a section of the surface of a regular cylinder and has the same radius of
curvature as the guide groove 174, abuts flush against the groove base
surface of the guide groove 174 and the T-groove cutter 164 is still
located in front of the contact area 106.

[0179] Subsequently, the groove cutting device 158 is pivoted in such a
way that the outer surface 182 of the front guide element 176 slides
along the arc-shaped curved groove base surface of the guide groove 174
and the T-groove cutter 164 thereby enters into the first component 102
and mills both the widened base section 112 of the groove 110 as well as
its undercut sections 114 (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

[0180] Thereby, the guide teeth 180 arranged on the rear guide element 178
run in the undercut sections 114 of the groove 110 that were produced by
the T-groove cutter 164 and therefore provide additional guidance for the
groove cutting device 158.

[0181] The groove cutting device 158 continues to be pivoted along the
guide groove 174 until such time as the T-groove cutter 164 emerges from
the component 102 at the end of the guide groove 174 opposite the
starting point and the guide teeth 180 are also no longer in engagement
with the undercut sections 114 of the groove 110 that has been produced.

[0182] The groove cutting device 158 can now be withdrawn from the
component 102, and the groove 110 including its undercut sections 114 is
finished (see FIGS. 21 and 22).

[0183] After the grooves 110 in the first component 102 and the second
component 104 have been produced, the access boring 128 connecting the
one major face 129 to the base section 112 of the groove 110 is then
produced in the first component 102.

[0184] The connecting means 100 which connects the two components 102 and
104 together comprises a first connecting element 184 for insertion into
the groove in the first component 102 and a second connecting element 186
for insertion into the groove 110 in the second component 104, such as
are illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0185] The first connecting element 184 comprises a housing 188 that is
substantially in the form of a section of a regular cylinder and includes
an arc-shaped curved bearing surface 190 which is in the form of an arc
of a circle in a longitudinal section taken in the longitudinal direction
192 of the connecting element 184, and also a flat bearing surface 194
located opposite the curved bearing surface 190 as well as two lateral
side faces 198 running substantially parallel to the direction of
connection 196.

[0186] A respective arc-shaped curved holding projection 200 protrudes
from the lower edge of the side faces 198 in a thickness direction 202
which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 192 and the
direction of connection 196.

[0187] Each holding projection 200 is bounded in the direction towards the
bearing surface 194 by an arc-shaped curved supporting surface 204 which
is in the form of an arc of a circle in a longitudinal section taken
along the longitudinal direction 192

[0188] Each holding projection 200 is bounded on the side remote from the
bearing surface 194 by a likewise arc-shaped curved bearing surface which
is in the form of an arc of a circle in a longitudinal section taken
along the longitudinal direction 192 and adjoins the bearing surface 190
of the housing 188 in flush manner.

[0189] The supporting surface 204 and the bearing surface 206 of each
holding projection 200 are connected to one another by a side face 208
which runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction 192 and
is parallel with the direction of connection 196.

[0190] The profile of each holding projection 200 substantially
corresponds to the profile of the respectively associated undercut
section 114 of the groove 110, and the curvature of the holding
projection 200 corresponds to the curvature of the associated undercut
section 114 so that the holding projections 200 of the first connecting
element 184 are insertible into the undercut sections 114 of the groove
110 and are adapted to be displaced therein in sliding manner.

[0191] Furthermore, the first connecting element 184 comprises a seating
chamber 210 that is surrounded by the housing 188 for accommodating a
holding element 212 which can emerge from the seating chamber 210 through
a mouth 214 at which the seating chamber 210 opens out into the bearing
surface 194 of the first connecting element 184.

[0192] The seating chamber 210 can extend on the side thereof remote from
its bearing surface 194 into the curved bearing surface 190.

[0193] The holding element 212 comprises a plate-like base body 216 which,
at one end, is provided with ring-like elevated portions 218 that
surround a seating opening 220 having a polygonal cross section which is
aligned with a substantially circular passage opening 222 in one of the
side faces 198 of the housing 188.

[0194] The ring-like elevated portions 218 are supported on abutments
which are arranged in the seating chamber 210 so that the holding element
212 is held on the housing 188 such as to be rotatable about the central
axis 224 of the seating opening 220.

[0195] The free end of the holding element 212 remote from the ring-like
elevated portions 218 is provided with arc-shaped projections 226 which
project from the base body 216 on both sides thereof in the thickness
direction 202.

[0196] Furthermore, on both sides of the mouth 214 of the seating chamber
210, the first connecting element 184 comprises a respective insertible
projection 228 in the form of a substantially parallelepipedal dowel pin
230 which extends in the direction of the connection 196 commencing from
the bearing surface 194 and tapers towards the end thereof remote from
the bearing surface 194 in order to facilitate the insertion thereof into
a respective seating pocket 232 of the second connecting element 186 that
is complementary to the dowel pin 230.

[0197] The insertible projections 228 of the first connecting element 184
fit very precisely into the seating pockets 232 of the second connecting
element 186 in the thickness direction 202 so that the insertible
projections 228 can accommodate the shear stresses of the connection
between the components 102 and 104 in the thickness direction 202, and,
additional dowel pins, such as are necessary in the case of most other
connecting means, can be dispensed with.

[0198] In the longitudinal direction 192 however, the seating pockets 232
have a greater extent than the insertible projections 228 so that the
first connecting element 184 and the second connecting element 186 can be
mutually displaced in the longitudinal direction 192 in order to enable
the tolerances in the connection between the components 102 and 104 to be
compensated for in this way.

[0199] The second connecting element 186 likewise comprises a housing 234
which is substantially in the form of a section of a regular cylinder and
has an arc-shaped curved bearing surface 190 that is in the form of an
arc of a circle in a longitudinal section taken along the longitudinal
direction 192 of the connecting element 186, a flat bearing surface 194
located opposite the curved bearing surface 190, side faces 198 and
holding projections 200 which protrude from the side faces 198 in the
thickness direction 202, said projections having a curved supporting
surface 204 directed towards the bearing surface 194, a curved bearing
surface 206 that is flush with the bearing surface 190 and a side face
208.

[0200] Furthermore, as can best be seen from FIG. 6, apart from the
seating pockets 232 for the insertible projections 228 of the first
connecting element 184, the housing 234 of the second connecting element
186 also comprises a receiving chamber 236 which is arranged centrally
between the seating pockets 233 and opens out into a mouth 238 in the
bearing surface 194 and can extend into the bearing surface 190 on the
opposite side.

[0201] Protruding into the interior of the receiving chamber 236 from both
sides of the mouth 238, there is a respective restraining projection 240
which is in the form of a section of a regular cylinder and has an
arc-shaped curved restraining surface 242 in the thickness direction 202
so as to leave a gap between the two restraining projections 240 the
width of which is slightly greater than the thickness of the base body
216 of the holding element 212 of the first connecting element 184.

[0202] For the purposes of establishing the releasable connection between
the first component 102 and the second component 104 by means of the
connecting means 100 consisting of the first connecting element 184 and
the second connecting element 186, one proceeds as follows:

[0203] Firstly, as is illustrated in FIG. 23, the first connecting element
184 is pushed into the groove 110 in the first component 102 in such a
way that the holding projections 200 of the first connecting element 184
engage in the undercut sections 114 of the groove 110 and the passage
opening 222 in the side face 198 of the housing 188 aligns with the
access boring 128 in the first component 102 (see FIG. 24).

[0204] In like manner, the second connecting element 186 is pushed into
the groove 110 in the second component 104 in such a way that its holding
projections 200 engage in the undercut sections 114 of the groove 110 and
the housing 234 of the second connecting element 186 is accommodated
substantially entirely in the groove 110 (see FIG. 24).

[0205] The holding element 212 of the first connecting element 184 is then
pivoted completely into the seating chamber 210 of the first connecting
element 184 (see FIG. 24).

[0206] In this release position of the holding element 212, the two
components 102 and 104 can be moved against each other until their
contact areas 106 and 108 as well as the bearing surfaces 194 of the
connecting elements 184 and 186 fit together in flush manner and the
insertible projections 228 of the first connecting element 184 engage in
the seating pockets 232 of the second connecting element 186 (see FIG.
25).

[0207] Then, the actuating end of a cranked polygonal key 244 is
introduced through the access boring 128 in the first component 102 and
the passage opening 222 in the housing 188 of the first connecting
element 184 into the seating opening 220 of the holding element 212 and
brought into engagement with the latter (see FIG. 25).

[0208] Subsequently, the holding element 212 is pivoted out from the
seating chamber 210 of the first connecting element 184 by means of the
polygonal key 242 so that the arc-shaped projections 226 of the holding
element 212 enter the receiving chamber 236 of the second connecting
element 186 through the mouth 238 and thereby engage behind the
restraining projections 240.

[0209] The curvature of the arc-shaped projections 226 of the holding
element 212 on the one hand and the curvature of the restraining surfaces
242 of the restraining projections 240 are matched to one another in such
a way that the two connecting elements 184 and 186 are pulled against
each other to an increasing extent in the direction of the connection 196
during the process of pivoting the holding element 212 into the receiving
chamber 236 and there results as large a contact area as possible between
the restraining surfaces 242 and the arc-shaped projections 226 of the
holding element 212.

[0210] In consequence, compression stress points in the contact areas
between the restraining projections 240 and the arc-shaped projections
226 of the holding element 212 are prevented and the strength of the
material from which the holding element 212 and the housing 234 of the
second connecting element 186 are made is used as uniformly as possible.

[0211] The holding element 212 and the housings 188 and 234 of the
respective connecting elements 184 and 186 can therefore be made, in
particular, of an injection moulded synthetic material.

[0212] When the connection between the connecting elements 184 and 186 is
loaded in the direction of connection 196, the holding element 212
experiences substantially only tension and thrust forces, but only to a
negligibly small degree, bending moments.

[0213] The seating chamber 210 of the first connecting element 184, the
receiving chamber 236 of the second connecting element 186 and the outer
contours of the connecting elements 184 and 186 are formed in such a way
that they can be manufactured in one-piece manner.

[0214] The holding element 212 can be pushed into the seating chamber 210
through the mouth of the seating chamber 210 onto the bearing surface 190
of the first connecting element 184 so that the housing 188 of the first
connecting element 184 does not need to be separable.

[0215] Consequently, one can dispense with constructing the housing 188 of
the first connecting element 184 in the form of two half-shells, this
thereby increasing the rigidity of the first connecting element 184.

[0216] Since the curved bearing surfaces 190 of the connecting elements
184 and 186 have the same radius of curvature as the groove base surfaces
118 of the grooves 110 upon which the bearing surfaces 190 can slide and
abut, and since the holding projections 200 of the connecting elements
184 and 186 in the form of an arc of a circle can be displaced
tangentially in the respectively associated undercut sections 114 of the
grooves 110 using just a small amount of force and hence the connecting
elements 184 and 186 still have a certain degree of freedom of movement
when establishing the connection, it is still possible to make
corrections with respect to the mutual positioning of the connecting
elements 184 and 186 during the process of connecting the components 102
and 104.

[0217] This significantly reduces the need for precision in regard to the
location of the grooves 110 in the components 102 and 104 and thus leads
to it being considerably easier for the user to use.

[0218] When the holding element 212 is moved from the release position
illustrated in FIG. 25 into the holding position illustrated in FIG. 26,
then, due to the tensile forces which act on the connecting elements 184
and 186 in the direction of connection 196, such a large amount of static
friction will be produced between the supporting surfaces 204 of the
holding projections 200 on the one hand and the undercut surfaces 122 of
the undercut sections 114 of the grooves 110 which are thereby in contact
therewith on the other that the previously described remaining degree of
freedom of movement is neutralised and an extremely firm connection
between the components 102 and 104 is established.

[0219] As a result of the support for the holding projections 200 on the
undercut surfaces 122 of the undercut sections 114 of the grooves 110 in
the components 102 and 104, the connecting elements 184 and 186 are thus
securely anchored in the respectively associated component 102 and 104.

[0220] In the holding position illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 26, the holding
element 212 in cooperation with the restraining projections 240 prevents
a relative movement of the first connecting element 184 and the second
connecting element 186 along the direction of the connection 196.

[0221] In order to then release the first component 102 and the second
component 104 from each other, it is only necessary to again insert a
polygonal key 244 through the access boring 128 in the first component
102 so as to engage with the seating opening 220 in the holding element
212 and then to move the holding element 212 by pivoting it in the
opposite direction from the holding position into the release position
illustrated in FIG. 25 in which the arc-shaped projections 226 of the
holding element 212 no longer engage behind the restraining projections
240 of the second connecting element 186 so that the connecting elements
184 and 186 can easily be moved apart along the direction of connection
196.

[0222] As can be seen from FIGS. 27 to 31, the profiles of the holding
projections 200 do not by any means always have to be formed such that
they are exactly rectangular, as is illustrated in FIG. 28.

[0223] Rathermore, provision could also be made for the profile of the
holding projections 200 to be trapezoidal, this then tapering with
increasing spacing from the side faces 198 of the respective housing 188
and 234, as is illustrated in FIG. 29.

[0224] As an alternative thereto, provision may also be made for the
profile of the holding projections 200 to taper with decreasing spacing
from the respectively associated side face 198, as is illustrated in FIG.
30.

[0225] Furthermore, provision may be made for the profile of the holding
projections 200 to have an outer contour which is curved at least in
sections thereof, for example a semicircular outer contour, such as is
illustrated in FIG. 31.

[0226] A second embodiment of a connecting means 100 which is illustrated
in FIGS. 32 to 34 differs from the previously described first embodiment
in that the holding element 212 in the second embodiment is formed as a
threaded element 246 having an external thread 248 which is brought into
engagement with an internal thread 250 of a restraining element 252 of
the second connecting element 186 for the purposes of connecting the two
components 102, 104.

[0227] As can best be seen from FIG. 33, the threaded element 246 of the
first connecting element 184 comprises outside the external thread 248 a
cylindrical head part 254 having a central seating 256 for an actuating
section of a (not illustrated) actuating element such as a polygonal key
or a screwdriver for example, wherein the seating 256 has a polygonal
cross section complementary to the cross section of the actuating
section.

[0228] Between the head part 254 and the external thread 248 of the
threaded element 246, there is arranged a cylindrical shank part 258
which has a smaller diameter than the head part 254.

[0229] The head part 254 and the shank part 258 are arranged in a stepped
seating chamber 260 of the housing 188 of the first connecting element
184 which has a lower chamber section 262 of greater diameter and an
upper chamber section 264 of lesser diameter, wherein the two chamber
sections 262, 264 merge into one another at a shoulder 266 on which the
head part 254 of the threaded element 246 is supported.

[0230] The upper chamber section 264 extends upwardly along the direction
of connection 196 and opens out into the bearing surface 194 of the first
connecting element 184.

[0231] The threaded element 246 serving as a holding element 212 is thus
arranged on the first connecting element 184 such that it is rotatable
about an axis of rotation 268 that is oriented parallel to the direction
of connection 196.

[0232] The restraining element 252 of the second connecting element 186
has a parallelepipedal outer contour and is held such that it is
displaceable in the longitudinal direction 192 in non rotatable manner in
a likewise parallelepipedal seating chamber 270 in the housing 234 of the
second connecting element 186.

[0233] The seating chamber 270 is pierced by an access channel 272 which
extends along the direction of the connection 196 from the bearing
surface 194 of the second connecting element 186 through the seating
chamber 270 up to the curved bearing surface 190 of the second connecting
element 186 and it has an elongate and in particular, oval cross section.

[0234] For the purposes of establishing the connection between the first
component 102 and the second component 104, the first connecting element
184 and the second connecting element 186 of the second embodiment of the
connecting means 100 are inserted into the respective grooves 110 of the
first component 102 and the second component 104.

[0235] Then, the second component 104 with the second connecting element
186 is placed on the first component 102 with the first connecting
element 184 in such a way that the external thread 248 of the threaded
element 246 extends through the access channel 272 of the second
connecting element 186 into the seating chamber 250 and comes into
engagement with the internal thread 270 of the restraining element 252.

[0236] Subsequently, the threaded element 246 is set into rotation about
the rotational axis 268 by means of the (not illustrated) actuating
element (a screwdriver for example) which engages in the seating 256 in
the head part 254 of the threaded element 246 through an access boring in
the first component 102 so that the external thread 248 of the threaded
element 246 is screwed into the internal thread 250 of the restraining
element 252 and hence the second connecting element 186 is pulled against
the first connecting element 184 until the state illustrated in FIG. 34
is reached, in which the bearing surfaces 194 of the two connecting
elements 184, 186 fit flushly together and the external thread 248
extends beyond the seating chamber 270 into the section of the access
channel 272 lying between the seating chamber 270 and the bearing surface
190 of the second connecting element 186.

[0237] In order to enable the actuating element to engage in the seating
256 in the head part 254 of the threaded element 246, the access boring
in the first component 102 in the case of this embodiment is aligned
coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation 268 of the threaded
element 246 and thus parallel to the direction of the connection 196.

[0238] In this embodiment, the separation of the two components 102 and
104 from each other is effected in that the external thread 248 is
unscrewed from the internal thread 250 of the restraining element 252 by
rotating the threaded element 246 in the opposite direction by means of
the (not illustrated) actuating element until the threaded element 246 is
no longer in engagement with the restraining element 252 and the second
connecting element 186 can thus be removed from the first connecting
element 184.

[0239] Due to the displaceability of the restraining element 252 in the
longitudinal direction 192 and as a result of the elongate cross section
of the access channel 272, it is possible to have a certain amount of
relative movement between the threaded element 246 and the housing 234 of
the second connecting element 186 when establishing the connection
between the first component 102 and the second component 104 so that
tolerances in the positioning of the grooves 110 in the components 102,
104 can thereby be compensated for.

[0240] The second embodiment of the connecting means 100 illustrated in
FIGS. 32 to 34 does not comprise insertible projections on the first
connecting element 184, but, in like manner to the first embodiment, it
does comprise holding projections 200 on the connecting elements 184 and
186.

[0241] In all other respects, the second embodiment of the connecting
means 100 illustrated in FIGS. 32 to 34 coincides in regards to the
construction and manner of functioning thereof with the first embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 31, so that to this extent reference is made to
the previous description thereof.

[0242] A third embodiment of the connecting means 100 illustrated in FIGS.
35 to 39 differs from the previously described first embodiment in that
the housing 188 of the first connecting element 184 comprises a hump-like
elevated portion 274 between the two insertible projections 228, said
elevated portion engaging in a complementarily shaped depression 276 in
the housing 234 of the second connecting element 186 in the connected
state of the components 102, 104 (see FIG. 37).

[0243] A certain amount of play is present in the longitudinal direction
192 between the elevated portion 274 and the depression 276 so that
tolerances in the positioning between the grooves 110 and the components
102, 104 can be compensated for.

[0244] In this embodiment, the holding element 212 of the first connecting
element 184 is formed as a threaded element 278 which comprises a hollow
cylindrical socket section 280 having an internal thread 282 and a shaft
section 284 that extends downwardly from the socket section 280 along the
direction of connection 196 and has a smaller diameter than the socket
section 280 as well as a driven element 286 which projects downwardly
from the periphery of the socket section 280 in the axial direction (see
in particular, FIG. 38).

[0245] As can best be seen from FIG. 36, the threaded element 278 is
arranged in a stepped seating chamber 288 of the housing 188 of the first
connecting element 184, said chamber comprising a lower chamber section
290 of greater diameter and an upper chamber section 292 of lesser
diameter wherein these chambers merge into one another at a shoulder 294.

[0246] The threaded element 278 is arranged in the seating chamber 288
such as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 296 oriented parallel
to the direction of connection 196.

[0247] Furthermore, in order to be able to produce a rotational movement
of the threaded element 278 about the axis of rotation 296, there is
provided in the lower chamber section 290 of the seating chamber 288 a
hollow cylindrical magnet element 298 which is aligned coaxially with
respect to the threaded element 278 and is pushed partially onto the
shaft section 284 of the threaded element 278 and it is provided at the
end face thereof facing the socket section 280 with an axially projecting
driver element 300 (see in particular, FIG. 38).

[0248] The magnet element 298 consists of a permanent magnet material
which is magnetized substantially perpendicularly to its longitudinal
axis and thus perpendicularly to the axis of rotation 296 (so-called
diametrical magnetization).

[0249] The diametrically magnetized magnet element 298, which is mounted
on the shaft section 284 of the threaded element 278 such as to be
rotatable about the axis of rotation 268, can be caused to make an
oscillatory rotational movement about the axis of rotation 296 by means
of a time varying external magnetic drive field that acts on the magnet
element 298 from outside the connecting means 100, said movement
producing a directed rotational movement of the threaded element 278
about the axis of rotation 296 due to the interaction between the driver
element 300 of the magnet element 298 and the driven element 286 of the
threaded element 278.

[0250] For this purpose, there is used a drive unit 302 which is
schematically illustrated in FIGS. 38 and 39, said drive unit comprising
a housing 304, which consists of a synthetic material for example, an
electric motor 306 having a drive shaft 308 arranged in the housing 304,
and a drive magnet 310 connected in mutually non-rotatable manner to the
drive shaft 308.

[0251] The drive magnet 310 is formed as a cylindrical high power
permanent magnet which is magnetized substantially perpendicularly to the
longitudinal direction 312 of the drive shaft 308 (so-called diametrical
magnetization).

[0252] For the purposes of establishing a rotational movement of the
threaded element 278, one now proceeds as follows:

[0253] The drive unit 302 is moved relative to the first connecting
element 184 into a position in which the longitudinal direction 312 of
the drive shaft 308 of the drive unit 302 and the axis of rotation 296 of
the threaded element 278 are oriented parallel to each other and the
spacing between the drive magnet 310 and the magnet element 298 is as
small as possible in order to obtain as strong a mutual interaction of
the magnets as possible. The location of the drive unit 302 and that of
the magnet element 298 in this position are schematically illustrated in
FIGS. 38 and 39.

[0254] If the electric motor 306 of the drive unit 302 is now operated in
such a way that the drive shaft 308 and thus the drive magnet 310 rotate
in the clockwise direction for example (when viewed along a line of sight
indicated by the arrow 39 in FIG. 38), then the north pole (N) and the
south pole (S) of the drive magnet 310 thereby rotate in the clockwise
direction due to the diametrical magnetization of the drive magnet 310,
as is to be seen in the schematic illustration of FIG. 39.

[0255] The rotational movement of the drive magnet 310 thus produces a
rotating and hence time varying magnetic drive field.

[0256] In order to enable this magnetic drive field to penetrate into the
interior of the first connecting element 184 and interact with the magnet
element 298, the housing 188 of the first connecting element 184 consists
of a non-ferromagnetic material, for example, it consists of a synthetic
material.

[0257] Since unlike poles of the magnet element 298 and the drive magnet
310 attract one another and like poles of these elements repel each
other, the magnet element 298 in the seating chamber 288 rotates in the
opposite direction of rotation due to the interaction with the drive
magnet 310, i.e. in the counter clockwise direction (in the line of sight
indicated by the arrow 39 in FIG. 38).

[0258] Due to this rotational movement, the driver element 300 of the
magnet element 298 comes into contact with the driven element 286 of the
threaded element 278 so that the threaded element 278 is forced by the
magnet element 298 into making a rotational movement about the axis of
rotation 296 in the same direction of rotation as that of the magnet
element 298.

[0259] The magnet element 298 and the threaded element 278 carried along
thereby follow the rotational movement of the drive magnet 310 until such
time as the resistance acting on the threaded element 278 (which, for
example, is exerted due to the fact that the internal thread 282 of the
threaded element 278 is rotated on a complementary external thread 314 of
a restraining element 316 provided on the second connecting element 186)
becomes so large that the torque being transferred by the rotary magnetic
field produced by the drive magnet 310 is no longer sufficient to
continue to rotate the threaded element 278. When such a blockage point
is reached, the threaded element 278 and the magnet element 298 then
remain in the position they have reached, whilst the drive magnet 310
continues to rotate.

[0260] After the drive magnet 310 has continued to rotate through
approximately 180° so that the like poles of the drive magnet 310
and the magnet element 298 are then located directly opposite each other,
the magnet element 298 is again caused to move in a flip-over process,
namely, in a direction of rotation having the same sense as the direction
of rotation of the drive magnet 310 until the unlike poles of the drive
magnet 310 and the magnet element 298 are located directly opposite each
other once again.

[0261] Once this state is reached, the direction of rotation of the magnet
element 298 then reverses again, and the magnet element 298 again rotates
in the opposite sense to the drive magnet 310, as occurred in the phase
prior to the blockage of the threaded element 278.

[0262] The magnet element 298 is now accelerated through approximately
half a revolution by the rotating magnetic field of the drive magnet 310
until the driver element 300 again strikes the driven element 286 of the
threaded element 278 and the impulse of the magnet element 298 is
suddenly transferred to the driven element 286 and thus to the threaded
element 278. Due to this large impulse transmission, the threaded element
278 can release itself from its blockage position and continue to rotate
through a certain angle into a position in which a renewed blockage of
the threaded element 278 occurs. The magnet element 298 thus stops again
in this new blockage position without being able to follow the drive
magnet 310 any further until the like poles of the magnet element 298 and
the drive magnet 310 are located directly opposite each other again and a
renewed flip-over process of the magnet element 298 enables renewed
reception of an impulse to occur.

[0263] The threaded element 278 continues to rotate from blockage position
to blockage position in this periodically repeating manner. The repeated
receipt of momentum and striking of the driver element 300 against the
driven element 286 produce an impact hammer action which powerfully
accelerates the rotational movement of the threaded element 278 about the
axis of rotation 296 against a resistance.

[0264] Further details for the process of creating a rotational movement
of the threaded element 278 by means of an external drive magnet 310 can
be derived from DE 198 07 663 A1 to which reference in this connection is
made and which is hereby incorporated as a component part of the present
description.

[0265] Due to the rotational movement of the threaded element 278 that is
produced in such a manner, the internal thread 282 of the threaded
element 278 can be screwed to the external thread 314 of the restraining
element 316 provided on the second connecting element 186 or it can be
released from the external thread 314 (upon reversal of the direction of
rotation of the drive magnet 310).

[0266] In this embodiment, the restraining element 316 comprises a square
head 318 which is fed with a certain amount of play into a
parallelepipedal seating chamber 320 within the housing 234 of the second
connecting element 186 and thus prevented from rotating about the
direction of the connection 196.

[0267] From the lower surface of the square head 318, the external thread
314 of the restraining element 316 extends through an access channel 322
running parallel to the direction of the connection 196 into the
depression 276 of the second connecting element 186 so that this external
thread 314 is then located opposite the internal thread 282 of the
threaded element 278 on the first connecting element 184 (see FIGS. 35
and 36).

[0268] Furthermore, as can be seen from FIG. 37, there is provided in the
seating chamber 320 a compression spring 324 which biases the restraining
element 316 against the first connecting element 184 in the direction of
connection 196.

[0269] For the purposes of establishing the connection between the first
component 102 and the second component 104 by means of the third
embodiment of the connecting means 100, one proceeds as follows:

[0270] After the first connecting element 184 and the second connecting
element 186 have been inserted into the respective grooves 110 of the
first component 102 and the second component 104, the second component
104 with the second connecting element 186 is moved against the first
component 102 with the first connecting element 184 in such a way that
the internal thread 282 of the threaded element 278 comes into engagement
with the external thread 314 of the restraining element 316.

[0271] The insertible projections 228 also penetrate the seating pockets
232 of the second connecting element 186 that are complementary thereto
and the hump-like raised portion 274 of the first connecting element 184
enters the depression 276 in the second connecting element 186 that is
complementary thereto.

[0272] Subsequently, in the manner already described hereinabove, the
threaded element 278 is caused to effect a rotational movement about the
axis of rotation 296 by means of the drive unit 302 in such a manner that
the socket section 280 of the threaded element 278 having the internal
thread 282 and the restraining element 316 having the external thread 314
are screwed together so that the second connecting element 186 is pulled
against the first connecting element 184 and the connection between the
components 102 and 104 is established.

[0273] For the purposes of releasing the connection between the components
102 and 104, the screwed connection between the threaded element 278 and
the restraining element 316 is undone by using the drive unit 302 with
the opposite direction of rotation of the drive magnet 310.

[0274] In all other respects, the third embodiment of the connecting means
100 illustrated in FIGS. 35 to 39 coincides in regards to the
construction and manner of functioning thereof with the first embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 31, so that to this extent reference is made to
the previous description thereof.

[0275] A fourth embodiment of the connecting means 100 illustrated in
FIGS. 40 to 45 differs from the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 31
in that instead of having two insertible projections 228 on the first
connecting element 184, there is provided just a single central
insertible projection 326 which engages in a seating pocket 328 of the
second connecting element 186 that is complementary thereto in the
connected state of the components 102, 104.

[0276] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first connecting element 184
does not comprise just a single holding element 212, but rather, it
comprise two holding elements 212 which are held such as to be pivotal on
the housing 188 of the first connecting element 184, these holding
elements being in the form of hinged levers 330 of which one is arranged
on each side of the central insertible projection 326.

[0277] The inner end regions 332 of the hinged levers 330 which are
mounted on bearing projections 335 such as to be pivotal about pivotal
axes 333 engage in a seating chamber 334 within the housing 188 and are
held at a distance from one another by means of a spreading mechanism
336.

[0278] The spreading mechanism 336 itself comprises a first spreading
element 338 having a square head 340, a shank section 342 which extends
from the square head 340 in the longitudinal direction 192 and a threaded
section 344 having an external thread which adjoins the shank section
342.

[0279] Furthermore, the spreading mechanism 336 comprises a second
spreading element 346 having a cylindrical head section 348 and a hollow
cylindrical socket section 350 which is provided with an internal thread
and extends from the head section 348 in the longitudinal direction 192
such as to be coaxial with the shank section 342 of the first spreading
element 338.

[0280] The internal thread of the socket section 350 of the second
spreading element 346 is now in engagement with the external thread of
the threaded section 344 of the first spreading element 338.

[0281] Furthermore, the socket section 350 is provided at the end thereof
facing the square head 340 of the first spreading element 338 with a
driven element 352 which projects in the radial direction.

[0282] Between the square head 340 of the first spreading element 338 and
the socket section 350 of the second spreading element 346, there is a
hollow cylindrical magnet element 354 having diametrical magnetization
which is arranged on the shank section 342 of the first spreading element
338 such as to be rotatable about the common longitudinal axis 356 of the
two spreading elements 338 and 346.

[0283] At the end face thereof facing the socket section 350 of the second
spreading element 346, the magnet element 354 is provided with a driver
element 358 which projects in the axial direction and which can act on
the driven element 352 on the socket section 350.

[0284] Between the square head 340 of the first spreading element 338 and
the end face of the magnet element 354 facing said square head, there is
arranged a compression spring 360 which biases the magnet element 354
against the socket section 350 of the second spreading element 346.

[0285] As can best be seen from FIGS. 44 and 45, the second spreading
element 346 of the spreading mechanism 336 is adapted to be driven in
like manner to the threaded element 278 of the previously described third
embodiment of the connecting means 100, by means of a drive unit 302
incorporating a rotary drive magnet 310 which interacts with the magnet
element 354, such as to execute a rotational movement about the
longitudinal axis 356 relative to the first spreading element 338 which
is held in a constant rotational position by its square head 340.

[0286] To this end as illustrated in FIGS. 44 and 45, the drive unit 302
is oriented outside the connecting means 100 in such a way that the
longitudinal direction 312 of the drive shaft 308 is oriented
substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 356 of the spreading
elements 338, 346 and the spacing between the drive magnet 310 and the
magnet element 354 is made as small as possible.

[0287] In the housing 234 of the second connecting element 186, there are
provided two receiving chambers 362 into which the outer end regions 364
of the hinged lever 330 can enter when the bearing surfaces 194 of the
connecting elements 184 and 186 abut one another.

[0288] Furthermore, recesses 337 for seating the bearing projections 335
protruding from the housing 188 are provided in the housing 234.

[0289] At the edges thereof facing the first connecting element 184, the
receiving chambers 362 are bounded in sectional manner by a respective
restraining projection 366 which can be engaged behind by the
respectively associated hinged lever 330 when the hinged lever 330
concerned is pivoted about its pivotal axis 333 from the release position
illustrated in FIG. 42 into the holding position illustrated in FIG. 43.

[0290] Such a pivotal action can be effected by means of the previously
described spreading mechanism 336.

[0291] In this embodiment, the respective housings 188 and 234 of the
first connecting element 184 and the second connecting element 186 are
preferably formed in two-piece manner, whereby the two parts fit together
along the longitudinal centre plane of the respective housing.

[0292] For the purposes of establishing a connection between the first
component 102 and the second component 104 by means of the fourth
embodiment of the connecting means 100, one proceeds as follows:

[0293] The first connecting element 184 and the second connecting element
186 are inserted into the respective groove 110 in the first component
102 and in the second component 104.

[0294] Thereafter, the second component 104 with the second connecting
element 186 is placed on the first component 102 with the first
connecting element 184 in such a way that the outer end regions 364 of
the hinged lever 330 which is located in the release position enter into
the receiving chambers 362 of the second connecting element 186 and the
central insertible projection 326 of the first connecting element 184
enters into the seating pocket 328 of the second connecting element 186.

[0295] Subsequently, the second spreading element 346 is caused to effect
a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis 356 by means of the
drive unit 302 in such a manner that the head section 348 of the second
spreading element 346 is removed from the square head 340 of the first
spreading element 338 and hence the overall length of the spreading
mechanism 336 increases, whereby the inner end regions 332 of the hinged
lever 330 are moved away from each other, the hinged levers 330 are
pivoted about their pivotal axes 333 and are thereby moved into the
holding position illustrated in FIG. 43 in which the outer end regions
364 of the hinged lever 330 engage behind the respectively associated
restraining projections 366 of the second connecting element 186 and abut
said projections so that the second connecting element 186 is locked onto
the first connecting element 184 and the connecting elements 184, 186 can
no longer be moved apart along the direction of connection 196.

[0296] In order to release the connection of the components 102, 104, the
second spreading element 346 is rotated relative to the first spreading
element 338 about the longitudinal axis 356 by means of the drive unit
302 in the reverse direction of rotation so that the head section 348 of
the second spreading element 346 is moved towards the square head 340 of
the first spreading element 338 and the overall length of the spreading
mechanism 336 shortens.

[0297] The inner end regions 332 of the hinged lever 330 thereupon no
longer lie on the square head 340 of the first spreading element 338 or
on the head section 348 of the second spreading element 346 so that the
spreading mechanism 336 no longer presents any resistance to a pivotal
movement of the hinged levers 330 from the holding position illustrated
in FIG. 43 into the release position illustrated in FIG. 42.

[0298] After this process of unlocking the hinged levers 330, the second
connecting element 186 can then be removed from the first connecting
element 184 along the direction of connection 196.

[0299] In all other respects, the fourth embodiment of the connecting
means 100 illustrated in FIGS. 40 to 45 coincides in regards to the
construction and manner of functioning thereof with the first embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 31, so that to this extent reference is made to
the previous description thereof.

[0300] A fifth embodiment of the connecting means 100 which is illustrated
in FIGS. 46 to 48 differs from the first embodiment which is illustrated
in FIGS. 1 to 31 in that no pivotal holding element is provided and in
that, instead of having the two insertible projections 228 on the first
connecting element 184, there is provided just a single central
insertible projection 378 which is in the form of a substantially
parallelepipedal block dowel 380 and projects upwardly from the bearing
surface 194. In the connected state of the components 102, 104, the
insertible projection 378 enters a complementary, substantially
parallelepipedal seating pocket 382 which is formed in the housing 234 of
the second connecting element 186.

[0301] For the purposes of establishing a connection between the
components 102 and 104 by means of the fifth embodiment of the connecting
means 100, one proceeds as follows.

[0302] The first connecting element 184 and the second connecting element
186 are inserted into the respective groove in the respective first
component 102 and second component 104.

[0303] Subsequently, the bearing surface 194 and the insertible projection
378 of the first connecting element 184 and/or the bearing surface 194
and the boundary surfaces of the seating pocket 382 of the second
connecting element 186 are provided with a suitable adhesive.

[0304] Thereafter, the second component 104 with the second connecting
element 186 is moved against the first component 102 with the first
connecting element 184 in such a way that the insertible projection 378
of the first connecting element 184 enters the seating pocket 382 of the
second connecting element 186 and the bearing surfaces 194 of the two
connecting elements 184, 186 abut.

[0305] The two components 102, 104 are held in this position until the
adhesive has hardened and hence an integral bond has been established
between the first connecting element 184 and the second connecting
element 186 and thus between the first component 102 and the second
component 104.

[0306] In all other respects, the fifth embodiment of the connecting means
100 illustrated in FIGS. 46 to 48 coincides in regards to the
construction and manner of functioning thereof with the first embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 31, so that to this extent reference is made to
the previous description thereof.

Patent applications by Franz Baur, Oberstaufen DE

Patent applications by Franz Haser, Oberstaufen DE

Patent applications by Patrick Jeker, Brislach CH

Patent applications by Wilfried Schneider, Bubendorf CH

Patent applications in class To guide tool to move in arcuate path

Patent applications in all subclasses To guide tool to move in arcuate path